I looked beyond the stereotypes to love LSE

I was surprised by the negative comments I received when I first told my family and Jewish friends that I was planning to study at LSE. Many referred to the antisemitic incident on a ski trip in 2011, in which a Jewish student was assaulted.

By the time I finally started university in October it was with some trepidation.

LSE is a small university dedicated to economics and political science and is comprised of a group of extremely politically-active students.

I signed up for both the Jewish Society and the separate Israel Society. This separation allows Jewish students to consciously decide whether or not to engage in Israel advocacy on campus; it also makes the Israel Society more appealing to non-Jewish members of LSE.

Following the ski trip incident, former JSoc president Jay Stoll organised a trip to Auschwitz for all student union officers. It had a positive effect on the awareness among the student body to the sensitivities of Jewish students.

I have found fellow students and staff to be extremely supportive.

JSoc runs weekly religious events and also purely social events. It has a community spirit, attracting members from across the religious spectrum and from many different countries.

Perhaps surprisingly, kosher food is easily available at most of the campus restaurants and at all the LSE halls of residence.

During the violence in Israel and Gaza in December, the Israel Society ran an information stall. It was interesting to see the number of students from all backgrounds who asked questions of both the Palestinian and Israel society members.

My experience at LSE has been an incredibly positive one; I have met some amazing people. The highlight so far has been Jewish life at LSE.

Jess, 19, from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, is studying International Relations